Chief Ntambu boasts of no load shedding in his chiefdom

CHIEF Ntambu of the Lunda people of Mwinilunga says his chiefdom is not experiencing load shedding because of a hydropower generation plant that had been constructed in the area.

Chief Ntambu has since paid tribute to First Quantum Minerals (FQM) for complementing his efforts in protecting and restocking natural resources in the once depleted ecological region.

This came to light at a Traditional Leaders Caucus on Ending Forest Fires, organised by the Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) in Solwezi.

The traditional leader said his Chiefdom was now venturing into Carbon Trading through a company in Kenya working with West Lunga Conservation Project which is supported by FQM.

Chief Ntambu said in addition to the West Lunga Conservation project, FQM was supporting the community with modern equipment for honey production, modern abattoir, butchery and a bakery which is in the undertaking.

“It is a matter of leadership. Before I became a chief, I lived on the Copperbelt. I stayed there for a long time after school without going back home. My home, Ntambu, was a heaven on earth because we had practically everything. We had plenty of rivers, a lot of fish, wild animals and we never lacked anything. But over the years, things started declining,” he said.

Chief Ntambu said the onset of civil wars in Angola and Congo DR saw refugees from the two countries converge on his chiefdom, depleting animals and fish resulting in local people suffering.

He said he had resolved to protect natural resources when he was installed as chief on August 16, 1997.

“On Monday, I called for a meeting with all the Headpersons. I told them that there was no more destruction of natural resources that is why I decided to come to Ntambu. There was huge resentment from the people who did not want to hear that. I insisted that I was not going to back down because I promised the subjects that I want to restore natural resources which would make them happy in the long run after suffering temporarily,” Chief Ntambu said.

Chief Ntambu said Adamson Mushala's resistance against the One-Party State of President Kenneth Kaunda also negated environmental protection efforts as Government Game Guards ran away, leaving the Game Management area vulnerable.